If you have a dog that is picky about its food, you may be asking yourself what is the most delicious dog food for them. Just like humans, every dog has their own tastes and preferences when it comes to flavors and textures of food. Therefore, there is no universal solution for finicky dogs. While some owners have dogs that quickly devour their meals, many of us deal with the challenge of having a picky dog on a daily basis.
After conducting thorough research on various types of dog food, we will present our top choices for the best dog food suitable for picky eaters. These options range from fresh and moist selections to dry kibble and dehydrated alternatives. Additionally, make sure to take note of our valuable suggestions and techniques to encourage your dog to eat their meals consistently, which include our delicious and nutritious meal-topping suggestions.
Is It Common For Dogs To Be Picky Eaters?
To begin with, what are the characteristics of a picky eater dog? In general, dogs that take longer than approximately 20 minutes to complete their meal are classified as picky. Another indication is when a puppy refuses to eat their dog food but eagerly consumes leftover human food. Although many dogs will eat any type of dog food, there are numerous canines that are picky eaters.
In a recent survey sponsored by Jinx, a premium dog food brand, 2,000 pup parents were asked about their dogs’ eating habits. The findings revealed that 54% of owners regarded their pups as picky eaters, while 49% of respondents admitted to frequently or consistently facing difficulties in getting their dogs to eat their meals. Hence, you can be confident that you are not the only one facing the dilemma of finding dog food that your furry companion will consume.
Best Dog Food For Picky Eaters
Our recommendations have been selected by considering factors such as nutritional content, ingredient quality, flavor, customer reviews, pricing, and other aspects. All of our top choices fulfill or surpass the nutritional guidelines of the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), are produced in the United States, and do not contain any by-products, preservatives, or artificial ingredients.
Best Wet/Fresh: The Farmer’s Dog Review
The Farmer’s Dog has been selected as the top choice for wet dog food for dogs that are picky eaters. Opting for fresh food is highly recommended for dogs that are particular about their food preferences, regardless of their age. The Farmer’s Dog provides freshly-prepared meals that are made with high-quality ingredients such as whole-food animal protein, vegetables, fruits, and legumes. Moreover, each meal is enriched with an optimal combination of vitamins and minerals and includes salmon oil to promote healthy skin and coat.
One more advantage is that The Farmer’s Dog creates customized recipes for your dog by considering factors such as age, breed, current weight, body shape, and any existing health conditions. They provide beef, chicken, pork, and turkey recipes that are formulated by certified nutritionists from the American College of Veterinary Nutrition (ACVN) and are flash-frozen to retain nutrients and freshness.
Even though a subscription is needed, you have the flexibility to cancel, pause, or modify your recipes at any time. The only possible disadvantage is that all their recipes are without grains. While fresh personalized dog food can be expensive, The Farmer’s Dog offers reasonable pricing when compared to other well-regarded brands of fresh dog food.
Best Dry: Open Farm RawMix Review
Although kibble is typically a more convenient and cheaper option for diet, it is not preferred by many choosy dogs. However, we believe that Open Farm’s RawMix formulas are one of the top choices for dry dog food for picky eaters. RawMix consists of kibble that is coated in a bone broth and freeze-dried raw blend, and also includes chunks of freeze-dried animal protein for an intense burst of flavor.
This dog food, which is rich in protein and nutrients, can be obtained in three options: beef, lamb & pork, chicken & turkey, and ocean whitefish. Both grain-free and grain-inclusive options are available for each choice. All formulas contain a generous amount of superfood fruits and vegetables, with many being organic. The whitefish formula is particularly recommended for finicky dogs with sensitive stomachs or food intolerances.
Open Farm, despite being on the expensive side, is one of our preferred pet food brands due to its emphasis on high-quality ingredients, as well as its commendable dedication to the humane treatment of animals and sustainable practices.
Best Dehydrated: Spot & Tango Unkibble Review
If you want to provide your dog with high-quality ingredients that are suitable for human consumption but lack sufficient freezer space for storing fresh meals, consider trying Spot & Tango’s Unkibble. This option is not only tasty and healthy but also can be stored on a shelf and is more affordable compared to fresh meals. Unkibble consists of actual meats, fruits, vegetables, and other ingredients that are dehydrated using low temperatures to retain the nutritional value and taste.
Spot & Tango customizes the meals of your canine companion by taking into account its breed, age, weight, body shape, activity level, and various other factors. Additionally, they provide you with a personalized scoop to make feeding easy and convenient. Moreover, they offer a money-back guarantee for your initial two-week trial shipment. All Unkibble recipes are carefully formulated to meet the nutritional requirements set by AAFCO for every stage of your dog’s life, including the development of large-sized dogs.
Best Wet/Dry Mix: Ollie Mixed Bowl Plan Review
Another highly rated brand of fresh dog food is Ollie, which offers a unique solution for picky dogs. Their Mixed Bowl plan provides a variety of textures and flavors to ensure that your dog receives the necessary balance of nutrition. By combining fresh food and gently-baked dry food, Ollie personalizes meals based on your dog’s specific characteristics such as breed, age, weight, ideal weight, body shape, and activity level. Therefore, Ollie is a great choice for puppies, senior dogs, and adult dogs.
All the recipes offered are suitable for human consumption and contain complete meats, fruits, vegetables, legumes, chia seeds, and other nutritious superfood components. For fresh alternatives, customers can choose from beef, chicken, lamb, and turkey options. Baked food choices include beef or chicken. Among these options, only the chicken formulas contain grains, while the remaining choices are grain-free. Although a subscription is required, it can be canceled at any time. Additionally, a 100% money-back guarantee is provided for the starter box.
Best Canned: American Journey Stews Poultry & Beef Variety Pack Review
American Journey’s variety pack of chicken and beef stews has been selected as the top choice for canned dog food for picky eaters. This Chewy brand is highly regarded by pet parents due to its affordable price and use of high-quality ingredients. The grain-free stews contain premium animal protein, organ meat, and vegetables, all blended together with a delicious broth, making it a delicious standalone meal or a flavorful complement to kibble.
This variety pack allows you to switch up mealtimes if your pup becomes bored with the same high-protein wet food fortified with flaxseed and fish oil, both containing omega fatty acids that benefit your pup’s skin, coat, and immune health.
Best For Puppies: Orijen Amazing Grains Puppy Food Review
If you are looking for a grain-free wet food that is great for finicky puppies, The Farmer’s Dog is an excellent option. However, if you would rather have a kibble that includes grains and is also extremely healthy for your growing furball, Orijen’s Amazing Grains formula is the perfect choice. It is considered one of the top puppy foods for picky eaters, and many owners have reported that their puppies, even those with refined tastes, absolutely adore this flavorful recipe. The kibble is freeze-dried and coated, packed with high-quality animal protein and organ meats.
This high-protein recipe contains chicken, turkey, whole mackerel, whole herring, and salmon as the top five ingredients. It provides your active puppy with ample energy and aids in muscle development. Additionally, it consists of nourishing grains and a generous amount of whole fruits and vegetables, which are easy to digest. Furthermore, it contains fish oil, chia seeds, prebiotics, and probiotics, which enhance digestive, skin, and coat health, as well as fortify the immune system.
Best For Seniors: Nom Nom Review
Like The Farmer’s Dog and Ollie, Nom Nom is also a brand that offers natural fresh-frozen meals delivered directly to your doorstep. Their beef, chicken, pork, and turkey recipes contain a minimal number of ingredients, making them suitable for older dogs with sensitive stomachs. These meals are made from high-quality, whole ingredients, giving them a more palatable taste compared to conventional dog food.
Nom Nom offers pre-portioned and personalized recipes for your dog, taking into account factors such as age, breed, weight, and more. Subscribing to their service is mandatory, but you have the option to cancel at any time. Additionally, they provide a 30-day money-back guarantee. If your dog weighs 40 pounds or more, you can opt for a half-meal plan.
How to Asses if your Dog is a Picky Eater
It can be very frustrating to select the ideal dog food for your small breed dog that is a picky eater. It can feel like an endless cycle of buying different foods, only for your dog to reject them repeatedly. Sometimes, your dog may initially enjoy a new recipe but then refuse it after a few days. As a pet parent, you need to consider your dog’s personal preferences, such as disliking specific proteins, textures, or even certain bowls. However, we have gained valuable knowledge about dog taste preferences through research studies.
Before we delve into the topic, it is crucial to comprehend that being “picky” can indicate illness, stress, or satiety. It is advisable to assess your dog’s current diet, apart from their balanced meals, and have a discussion with your veterinarian before jumping to conclusions about your dog being finicky. Once you have eliminated that possibility, you can begin exploring suitable dog food options for a selective eater.
Step 1: Evaluate how much you are feeding
To begin this process, start by assessing how much your pup is currently eating. Take note of their intake of a balanced diet, as well as any treats, chews, and supplements. It is worth mentioning that small breed dogs typically do not require excessive daily calorie intake, unless they are participating in agility trials or engaging in extensive exercise.
A small dog weighing 5 lbs requires approximately 130 to 210 calories per day, while a 25 lb dog needs 430 to 700 calories per day, taking into account treats and additions. It is recommended that 90% of these calories come from a balanced diet, with the remaining portion being treats or additions. Training treats typically contain 3-10 calories each, while teenie greenies have 26 calories. Bully sticks, tendons, collagen sticks, and trachea chews generally range from 150 to 200 calories for a six inch piece. It is important to be cautious about overfeeding treats to small breed dogs, as they are often more attuned to their hunger and fullness cues than larger breeds like labradors, and will self-regulate by refusing additional calories if they have already consumed treats. Remember to communicate with anyone who interacts with your dog to ensure consistent care.
Step 2: Schedule a Vet Visit
After ensuring the first step, the next one involves investigating potential health problems to determine if your puppy is experiencing pickiness. Dogs may lose their appetite or appear selective without displaying other initial symptoms like vomiting or diarrhea, or even in severe instances. Several medical conditions can contribute to this behavior, including pancreatitis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), dental issues, neck pain, gastritis, acid reflux, kidney disease, and liver disease.
It is possible to rule out some causes by conducting an examination along with basic blood work. In addition, depending on the results, further lab work or procedures such as a dental cleaning might be recommended.
Step 3: Consider the Environment
Lastly, we want you to ponder whether your dog is experiencing stress or distraction. This situation can arise due to various factors, such as your dog having to contend with another more extroverted dog during mealtime.
It might be challenging to eat if the meal or bowl is positioned in a busy section of the house. This can be due to sources of stress, such as children running around or the presence of a new puppy. Alternatively, it could be because they are excited and desire to be involved in everything. If your dog’s bowl is currently placed in a secluded location during mealtime, it could be beneficial to offer the bowl while you have your meals. Certain dogs enjoy eating in a social setting.
If dogs are given medications that require food, they may refuse to eat altogether if the medication has a bitter taste, in order to avoid experiencing the taste. In such cases, it may be recommended to administer the medication separately from the meal or offer two meals. Additionally, consulting with your veterinarian regarding alternative medication preparations could be beneficial, as certain medications can be combined with flavoring agents to enhance acceptance.
If you have a stressed dog, it might be a good idea to consider bringing in a positive reinforcement trainer to help you troubleshoot the situation.
My dog is picky – what food do I try?
Once you have confirmed that your dog is indeed selective, it is time to select a food! Based on research studies, it has been determined that dogs have a preference for diets that are given to them if they have the option.
- High in Protein
- High in Fat
- Moisture Rich
If we were to quantify this, we would seek diets that consist of more than 30% protein in terms of calories, primarily derived from animals. Additionally, the diets should contain over 50% fat in terms of calories, obtained from various sources, be it plant-based or animal-based.
Most dogs prefer moisture rich diets that are cooked, as this process enhances the flavor and smell of the food. While some dogs may have texture preferences for dry foods, typically these cooked diets come in the form of canned, steamed, baked, or home-cooked options.